Nuclear Medicine- Bone Scan

Diagnostic Imaging

A nuclear medicine bone scan study involves injecting a small amount of a radioactive substance, called a radiopharmaceutical, into one of your veins. This substance travels through your bloodstream and attaches mostly to your bones. A special camera, known as a gamma camera, is used to generate an image to allow physicians to assess a variety of bone diseases and conditions.

SPECT/CT imaging combines a SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography) scan with a low-dose CT (Computed Tomography) scan to better pinpoint any abnormal areas. The gamma camera rotates around your body for the SPECT scan. The CT part helps localize the area and can be digitally combined with the SPECT results for more precise information.

This exam is performed by a nuclear medicine technologist who has had special training in this area, and the scan is interpreted by a nuclear medicine physician.

Types of Nuclear Medicine Scans

Beam Radiology currently only performs nuclear medicine bone scan imaging using a radioactive substance called ^99mTc-MDP (methyl diphosphonate).

FAQs

What conditions are nuclear medicine bone scans able to detect?

This includes, but is not limited to, conditions such as the following:

Various types and timing of bone fractures.
Certain types and locations of arthritis.
Certain cancers that either originate in the bone or spread to the bones
Complications of or pain with certain joint replacements
Bone infections

What nuclear medicine exams are performed at Beam?

Beam Radiology currently only performs nuclear medicine bone scan imaging with a radioactive substance called 99mTc-MDP (methyl diphosphonate).

How Do I prepare for my exam?

Bring photo identification, your provincial health card, and your requisition form.
Wear loose clothing and leave your jewelry at home.
Pregnancy: Tell your technologist if you are pregnant, think you might be pregnant, or are nursing. If you are pregnant, the scan will be postponed. If you might be pregnant, a blood test may be needed to confirm pregnancy status before making your booking.
Inform our front desk staff or technologist if you have recently had a radiology study using “Barium”, as this can interfere with the nuclear medicine imaging study.
Hydration: Stay hydrated by drinking 4-5 glasses of water before and during the study. You can eat and drink as usual.
Anxiety: Inform your technologist if you feel anxious or claustrophobic in tight spaces. Your doctor may prescribe medication to help.
Do not bring children who need supervision.

What can I expect at my appointment?

Upon arrival, you will check in at the front reception and may be asked to fill out some forms. You will then be escorted to an area where you may need to change into a medical gown.

There are two parts to a nuclear medicine imaging exam:

Part 1: A small amount of radioactive material is injected into one of your veins. This part of the study takes about 30 minutes and may involve some imaging. You can leave the clinic afterward. Your technologist will let you know your scheduled return time, usually 2-4 hours later. During this time, avoid strenuous activities or exercise. Be sure to continue your intake of fluids as directed.
Part 2: When you return to the clinic, please go to the bathroom and empty your bladder. You will be asked to lay down on the exam table with the camera positioned over you. This portion of the study, including your arrival and use of the washroom, will take approximately one hour. It is important that you try to remain still when the camera is acquiring the images so that the best images can be obtained. Let the technologist know if you are uncomfortable in any while lying on the bed, as they can make you as comfortable as possible.

After the Study

Sometimes, additional x-rays may be needed to assist in the imaging results. If so, these will be done after the bone scan is completed, and this can take up to an additional30 minutes.
For the rest of your day, drink plenty of water and urinate frequently to help flush the radioactive substance from your body.

Click here to review more information about your appointment.

What are the risks associated with my nuclear medicine bone exam?

A nuclear medicine bone scan has a low risk of side effects, but these can include injection site discomfort, rarely allergic reactions, and radiation exposure.

Injection discomfort:

As with any injection, the injection itself may cause slight pain, swelling orredness around the site. These are usually temporary and mild, but if it does progress or become more painful, please contact your referring physician.

Allergic reactions